Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:5-9
In today’s Bible reading, Paul is writing to servants and their masters. He was teaching them how they should treat each other.
First, Paul spoke to servants or employees saying, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ” (verse 5). In other words, anyone under authority should sincerely respect and obey those in authority over them.
Next, Paul spoke to masters or employers saying, “…treat your slaves in the same way” (verse 9a). That means that employers and others in authority should sincerely respect the dignity of those they have authority over.
Paul made it clear that all people should be treated with equal love, dignity, and respect. They should be given the same love, dignity, and respect that we give to Jesus.
Why?
God treats master and servant, employer and employee, leader and follower with the same perfect, unconditional love, dignity, and respect. There is no favoritism with God. He loves us all equally and offers each and every one of us the same opportunity of salvation and eternal life in heaven.
God expects us to follow His example and treat everyone the same way God treats us.
“For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” Romans 10:12 & 13
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to follow Your example and treat everyone with love, dignity, and respect. In Jesus’ name. Amen.